Fluid Dynamics

Introduction
How to pass this module
Effort
300h effort ~9h/wk (i.e lecture +laboratory + home
work)
Regular

Assessment
70% Exam
30% Coursework (remember the deadline)
[Tests and home work]

Coursework in fluid dynamics

(one test 70%; homework 30%):
this will contribute to 15% of the overall mark.

ME217Thermofluids

Dimensions and Units

Dimensions
Measurable properties used to describe the
physical state of a body

Units
Standard elements used to describe Dimensions
quantitatively

The Importance of Units

$125,000,000

Manufacturer
Lockheed
British Units

Mars Climate Orbiter

Operator
NASA
SI Units

Disappeared into space on 23/09/1999 instead of orbiting Mars

Dimensions
Fundamental Dimensions

L
Length
T
Time
M
Mass
Temperature

Units
Dimension
L
T
M

Units
m, mm, m, km...
in, ft, yd, mile, league...
h, min, s
g, kg,
kg tonne
lbm, ton, tonUS

C, K
F, R

Dimensions
Derived Dimensions

[Area]
[Volume]
[Velocity]
[Acceleration]
[Force]
[Energy]
[Power]

= L2
= L3
= LT-1
= LT-2
= MLT-2
= ML2T-2
= ML2T-3

distance / time
velocity / time
mass x acceleration
force x distance
energy / time

Dimensions and Calculus

dy
1

y
x
dx

d2y
2
y x

2
dx

xdy x y
xdydz x y z

Dimensions - Example 1
Is the following equation dimensionally
homogeneous?

2d 2vo
a 2
t
t where a
acceleration
d
vo
t

is the
is the distance
is the velocity
is the time

Dimensions - Solution 1
Checking the dimensions of each term in the equation,

a LT

2d
2
2

LT
t2

2vo
1
1
2

LT

LT
t

Since all the terms have the same dimension the

equation is homogeneous.

Units - Conversion
Same Dimension - L

1in 0.0254m
1in is 0.0254m

0.0254m
1
1in
Note: any expression can be multiplied by 1 without altering its
value.

Dimensions - Summary
Dimensions are fundamental
MLT

Units can chosen

ALWAYS write them in calculations

Fundamental Concepts of Fluid Mechanics

Overview
Characteristics of fluids
Properties of fluids

What is a fluid?
A substance that deforms continuously
under the action of a shearing force
Liquid
Definite volume varying slightly with temperature and pressure
Will only occupy part of a vessel of larger volume

Gas
Properties vary with temperature and pressure
Will always expand to fill a vessel

The Continuum Concept

Definition
A continuous distribution of matter with no
empty space

Validity
Volume under consideration must contain
sufficient molecules for average values to be
representative
Fails in the case of gases at very low pressures

Properties of Fluids - Pressure

Dimension [p] = Force/Area = ML-1T-2
Units Pascal, 1Pa = 1Nm-2
Pressure at a point
lim

F
p
2
A
A

Properties of Fluids - Density

Dimension [] = Mass/Volume = ML-3
Definitions
Mean density
Ratio of the mass of substance to the volume it occupies

Density

lim
V 3

m
V

Specific volume
v=1/

[v] =L3M-1

Relative density
Ratio of the density of a fluid to that of water (at 4C)

Properties of Fluids - Bulk Modulus

Dimension [] = Force/Area = ML-1T-2
Definition
Increase in applied pressure

V
Reduction in volume

Original volume

Properties of Fluids - Viscosity

Dimension [] = ML-1T-1
Definitions
u+du

y
F

F
u

Shear Stress

F
u

A
y

Velocity Gradient

Types of Fluid

Pseudo-plastic
Newtonian
Dilatant
Ideal

u
y